Episode 15

Episode 15 - Saying Yes to the Hard: Michelle’s Journey Through Fostering and Adoption

Published on: 26th August, 2025

In this episode of Dream Small, Jason and Whitney welcome their first non-family guest, Michelle, to share her powerful story of fostering and adoption.

Michelle and her husband fostered for 13 years, ultimately adopting five children. Her foster journey began with a surprise call late one night about twins—and what followed was a whirlwind of faith, heartbreak, disruption, and God’s provision.

Michelle opens up about:

• How infertility led them to private adoption and then foster care

• The unexpected late-night phone call that launched their fostering journey

• The challenges and heartache of disruption—and how God used it for a greater plan

• The importance of community and church support when saying “yes” to kids in need

• How God shifted their hearts from “growing a family” to “serving children and families”

Her story is a reminder that the path of fostering isn’t easy—but God is faithful, even in the hardest yes.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor:

A huge thank you to Ray Podesta, realtor with Stone Gable Realty. If you’re in Central Indiana and looking to buy or sell a home, reach out to Ray at 317-538-3226 or email him at Ray@stoneangable.com.

Connect with Us:

• Email: dreamsmallpodcast@gmail.com

• Instagram: @dreamsmallpodcast

• Facebook: Dream Small Podcast

• Twitter/X: @DreamSmallShow

Music Credit: "Paradise Found" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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About the Podcast

Dream Small Podcast
The Dream Small Podcast is a foster care and adoption podcast hosted by Jason and Whitney Small, foster and adoptive parents who have welcomed more than 14 children into their home and adopted three. Through honest conversations and real life stories, the podcast encourages foster parents, adoptive families, and those considering foster care.

Each episode explores the realities of foster care, adoption, and parenting children from hard places, offering practical encouragement and hope for families navigating the foster care journey. Jason and Whitney share lessons from their own experience, faith, and conversations around trauma informed parenting, family life, and supporting vulnerable children.

Whether you are a current foster parent, an adoptive parent, considering becoming a foster parent, or someone who supports foster families, the Dream Small Podcast exists to encourage and equip you along the way.

Jason and Whitney believe that changing a child’s life rarely happens through big moments. More often, it happens through small, faithful acts of love lived out every day.

If you're thinking about becoming a foster parent or walking the foster care journey, this podcast will help you navigate the challenges, celebrate the wins, and stay encouraged along the way.
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